This Beer Has Balls

This Beer Has Balls

Author: Craft Beer Republic March 18, 2026 Duration: 34:05

Welcome in to the bat cave of craft beer. Greg is drinking free beer and it actually holds up, Flex is deep into his no-drinking stretch and catching heat for it, and Fontana Jim comes in hot with a full rules breakdown. There are some big brewery moves, a new segment featuring a beer made with bull testicles, and a reminder that DoorDashing champagne to a kid’s birthday party is always an option.

Beers We’re Drinking:

  1. Greg is drinking Dad Strength IPA from Dad Strength Brewing, a low-calorie West Coast IPA with a light body and piney bite.

Flex is nearly a month into no drinking and realizing warm weather, snow days, and productivity all feel like they should come with a beer, while Greg is out here DoorDashing champagne to a family party like it’s completely normal. Fontana Jim checks in just to absolutely unload on Flex for his version of Lent, which leads to a full debate about whether Sundays count and if any of it matters anyway. And thanks to Scott, Greg introduces a new segment involving beers with gross origins, which quickly turns into a full conversation about eating bull testicles with zero hesitation from Flex.

Booze News:

  1. Sycamore Brewing reopens as Club West after ownership change
  2. Tilray deal closes 38 BrewDog bars and cuts hundreds of jobs
  3. Half Acre and Maplewood merge into Chicago beverage company
  4. Michigan moves to raise ABV cap on canned cocktails

Follow your favorite beer podcast on the socials:

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

  1. Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic
  2. Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod
  3. Threads: CraftBeerRepublic
  4. Voicemail: (805) 538-2337

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There's a certain magic that happens when a great beer meets a good story, and that's the space where you'll find Craft Beer Republic. More than just a tasting notes rundown, this weekly conversation feels like pulling up a stool in a friendly taproom. Each episode, released every Wednesday, dives into the vibrant world of craft brewing with a genuine curiosity for what makes a pour memorable. You'll get a thoughtful breakdown of the latest releases and essential industry news, but the heart of the podcast lies in the conversations. The hosts regularly sit down with the brewers, innovators, and passionate characters who are shaping the landscape, uncovering the personal journeys and creative science behind your favorite labels. It’s for anyone who appreciates the craft, whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or just beginning to explore beyond the familiar. Tune in for a blend of analysis, humor, and community that celebrates not only the beverage in your glass but the culture and connection it fosters. This is a podcast built on the idea that every beer has a narrative waiting to be shared, making each listen a new discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 403

Craft Beer Republic
Podcast Episodes
Batch294: Creating a Supportive, Loving, and Caring Mouthfeel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:53
Is your beer in a loving, supportive, environment? Our Best Beer Friend Coley stops in to hang out with Flex and Greg. The squad talks about a weekend full of Pink Boots collaboration brews, emo concerts, getting punishe…
Batch293: But How Many Adjuncts Can We Fit? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:03
Cheers and mid-west beers, Republic! The pride of Gary, IN, aka Zack Miller, is back! The group is talking about the horrible people on Untappd, dropping all the adjuncts into beers, discussing Hawaii’s new buzz-kill law…
Batch292: Welcome to the Season of Beer Releases and Parties [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:09
We are so excited to have Nic Bortolin, head brewer at 14 Cannons in Westlake Village, CA, on the show with us. He drops by to talk about some very exciting news at the brewery. We find out why consumers are overpaying f…
Batch291: Champagne Hangovers and Forgotten Breweries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:42
Question of the day: Do you have a brewery that you love but sometimes forget about?The Dream Team is in full effect, as Deb joins the crew to talk about the downside of champagne, not-so-great beer, Dry January beverage…
Batch290: Goodbye Dry January, Hello Wet February [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:21
Welcome to February; Dry January is over! The Dream Team is back, baby! Deb stops in to hang with Flex and Greg for Batch 290. The all-stars are sampling new beer styles, gearing up for the Super Bowl, prepping for Valen…
Batch289: Indiana Jones and the Case of Cold Beer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:09
I think it’s time to ask yourself; what do you believe in? Beer, of course.Erica grabs some pretzels and stops in to hang with Flex and Greg on Batch 289. The salty crew is talking about the charity work they’re doing in…
Batch288: Walking Around Beers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:14
“In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes,” Benjamin Franklin. Everyone’s favorite salt-queen, Erica (Neck Nosh), stops in to hang with Flex and Greg as they talk about mixing alcohols and getting way too…
Batch287: Sour Beers, Drunk Snacks, and Beerio Kart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:40
What are your favorite drunk snacks? Coley drops in to hang with Flex and Greg as they talk about Beerio Kart, outlawing drinking games, the worst beers in the world, more craft brewery buyouts, and a drunk woman who put…
Batch286: The Best IPAs & Drinking Warm Beer in Indiana [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:25
Ever drink so much that you decided to take a trip to Gary, Indiana? Neither did we.Flex and Greg are joined by special guest, and Indiana native, Zack Miller. We talk about Zack’s time in the craft beer industry, the we…